The progress is measured, apparently, in yards. Of which there have been too few. The progress isn’t measured in points. Of which there have been even fewer.
So the Redskins point out the work they’ve done in practice; the history of this new offense; and that they’re more focused on individual work in games and not the outcome.
But, because it’s a new offense, even they question just how far along they really are.
“If you’re one of those teams that’s not doing well or not even looking good at trying to do something,” Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss said, “you have questions.”
If they went by the scoreboard — where the first offense has put up zero points — they’d still be at the starting line. That’s not what they’re doing. The Redskins have averaged less than 250 yards per game.
“There’s nothing to gauge yourself on,” Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell said. “We understand we have a ways go to and have some work to do. … We’d be concerned if we scored 35 points a couple days ago. You’re always concerned because you never know what that first one will bring, that opener. There are always areas you can get better at, whether you’re in an offense one year or five years. We’re getting better. How much better remains to be seen.”
Apparently it does. The oft-stated line is this: the Redskins have not shown much offensively; they’ve used perhaps two percent of Al Saunders’ 700-page playbook; and they haven’t schemed to stop any pass rushes.
Not much is expected to change in the preseason finale vs. Baltimore on Thursday. The Redskins won’t reveal any more of their offense; nor are the starters expected to play more than sparingly.
“I’m not happy if we don’t score every time in practice, but we’ll get there,” Saunders said. “I know what the end product will look like.”
Moss said he’s pleased by what he’s seen in practice. But he understands the impatience of those wanting to see a flicker of an offensive pulse in games.
“On the outside looking in, you want to see something happen,” Moss said. “You want to see this product that everyone is talking about work. And that’s how we are as players. When you’re in practice, you say, ‘Man we look good, man we’re doing some good things.’ And that’s all we can go off of.”
